Loss in floods over estimated Rs 2,575 cr: Virbhadra Singh

New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the loss to the public and private property due to flash floods in the state could be much higher than the state government's preliminary estimate of around Rs 2,575 crores.

Singh said the detailed estimate of flash floods loss would be assessed after normal life is restored in the entire area.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Image courtesy PIB

He said revenue officials would conduct a detailed survey of the loss of property and the state government will give suitable compensation to kin of people who have lost lives and property in the devastating floods.

The state government has demanded an immediate relief package of Rs 1,000 crore from the prime minister.

The chief minister said the tragedy has pushed the state years back in terms of development and around 90 percent cash crops, particularly apple crop, has been completely destroyed by flash floods in Kinnaur district.

He said consumers of metropolitan cities will miss the popular apple varieties of Kinnaur during current apple season and added the government has para-dropped 300 horticulture experts in Kinnaur region to restore the damaged apple trees and bring them to original shape and size through various horticulture techniques.